2022-12-01 16:46:10
Support worker wins award for saving the life of an adult with learning disabilities – twice
A senior support worker from Bishop’s Stortford has won a national award in recognition of his work in saving the life of a man with learning disabilities on two separate occasions.
Sean Oliver-Fitch, from national learning disability charity Hft, picked up the “Best Life Possible Award” during an Hftea party held to celebrate the charity’s 60th anniversary last week.
Sean works at Hft’s Warwick Road service which supports eight individuals with varying needs. Over the last year he has been instrumental in supporting the individuals in this service to access better healthcare and advocating for them to receive the correct treatment.
One man supported in this service was failed by the 111 service and local GP on several occasions so Sean took it upon himself outside of his contracted hours to support the person to A&E where they waited for many hours to be seen. The outcome on the first occasion was that the man was found to have a heart problem that required urgent treatment and a pacemaker being fitted.
Some weeks later the same individual was seemingly not himself (again picked up by Sean) and again the healthcare professionals were not helpful. This second trip to hospital showed the person was found to have a significant bleed on the brain, again requiring urgent brain surgery. On this occasion Sean refused to leave the hospital until further checks were carried out as the staff were trying to send them home without treatment.
We are pleased to report that this individual has made a full recovery and is now fighting fit and living the life he chooses.
“Sean has gone above and beyond, often staying over his contracted hours or visiting the hospital during the individual’s recovery to ensure that he was clean, shaven and properly taken care of,” says Charlie Strube, the Manager of the service who nominated Sean.
“He won’t take no for an answer when it comes to the healthcare being provided to the people in his care. He fights for their rights and respectfully challenges the decisions made that are not in the best interests of the adults.”
Sean says of his award: “I really enjoy working with Hft and love my job. I feel like the people we support deserve someone to speak for them and I’ll be the voice they don’t have.”
Want to read more inspirational stories and memories from 60 years of Hft? Click here.
Notes to editors
For further information please email media.enquiries@hft.org.uk
About Hft
Proudly established in 1962 by a group of visionary parents, Hft is a charity supporting more than 2,500 learning disabled adults in England and Wales. Together, we are creating a future where learning disabled people and their families can live the best life possible.
Providing personalised support. Creating solutions for living independently. Coming together to campaign for positive change. Fundraising for new opportunities and a bigger impact.
In 2033, we’ll live in a world where learning disabled people have greater choice. About where they live. The support they need and want. And how to spend their time and money.
Learning disability versus difficulty
A learning disability is different from a learning difficulty but the terms are often confused and used inter-changeably. A learning difficulty does not affect general intellect, whereas a learning disability is a life-long condition characterised by a reduced intellectual ability and struggle with everyday activities.
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For more information about Hft please visit www.hft.org.uk
